Disabled accessibility is indicated on the campground page (e.g. Miquelon Lake Campground), including any additional information in the notes.

Alberta Parks is currently performing accessibility audits in parks to determine if trails, facilities, day use areas and experiences are accessible. The data collected helps identify the need for infrastructure updates in high use areas. The auditing process also supports the creation of an inventory of accessible experiences to share with visitors.

A boil water advisory is issued when harmful germs (e.g., E. coli bacteria, giardia parasite)may be in a drinking water supply. Drinking water contaminated with these germs canmake people and animals very sick. Boiling will kill the germs and make the water safe todrink. To learn more go to Alberta Health Services.

This phone number may connect to a Visitor Information Centre, or a facility operator or an Alberta Parks office. (The Government of Alberta owns all provincial campgrounds but contracts out some campground operations and services.)

The "Information & Facilities" page for each park include an information number (near the top under the name in green font), e.g. Williamson Provincial Park.

To access the "Information & Facilities" page for a campground, type the name into the "Search" function in Find A Park and then click on the park name.

To access the "Camping" page for a campground, type the name into the "Search" function in Find A Park and then click on the "Facility" name. If there is more than one campground in the park, click on "Camping" in the left hand navigation list for a summary of all them.

All applicable federal and provincial cannabis legislation within Alberta’s provincial parks will be enforced.

Alberta Parks’ adult visitors may consume cannabis in their registered campsites (including in RVs being used as a temporary residence in a registered campsite) and in public areas where tobacco is permitted.

Cannabis use is not allowed in motorized vehicles (i.e. cars, trucks, SUVs and vans).

Smoking and vaping cannabis is also prohibited in any area where smoking tobacco is prohibited (such as within 5 meters of washrooms).

With the exception of permitted cutting in Cypress Hills Provincial Park and Castle Parks, any cutting of trees or disturbing of vegetation in provincial parks and recreation areas is strictly prohibited and carries a large fine.

For any tree cutting activities, make sure you have a permit, follow the conditions provided and cut trees in the areas indicated on the map. Please report tree poaching in our provincial parks by speaking to park staff or emailing AEP.AlbertaParks@gov.ab.ca .

Report concerns about other visitors to a conservation officer, the campground operator or other staff as soon as possible. If we observe the issue/behaviour occurring, then we’re better able to respond appropriately.

Many parks have a 24-hour help line, with a local phone number posted at key locations like registration booths and information kiosks.

If there's an emergency, call 9-1-1.

What if I have a concern or compliment about a staff or volunteer?

Speak with the park manager, conservation officer in charge of the park or campground operator.

Question: What do I need to know about visiting Alberta Parks during COVID-19?

Answer:

Most Alberta Parks are open for day use, where operationally feasible. It is still early in the season; garbage and washroom facilities may not be available. Please pack out what you pack in to keep our parks clean and to keep wildlife and our staff safe.

Provincial park boat launches will be open for the long weekend, except in cases where reservoir levels or ice make the area unsafe or inaccessible.

Playgrounds remain closed as they are a high contact communal areas / the risk of transmission of COVID is high and it is not currently operationally feasible to meet the required cleaning guidelines.

While visiting parks, you are still required to maintain physical distance of 2m from people you do not live with / people not in your household. Do not gather in groups >15. Please continue to follow all Alberta Health guidelines when visiting our parks and prepare to be as self-sufficient as possible.

Camping

Campgrounds open in June at 50% occupancy.

Only 1 household is allowed per campsite with a maximum of 6 people per site. Second RV units will not be permitted. A second tent may be permitted depending on site and requires campground approval. You can call the campground at the phone number listed at the top of the campground specific webpage prior to your arrival.

Washroom/outhouse facilities and bear-proof garbage bins will be available in open campgrounds. (Be prepared for showers to be closed). Many first-come, first-serve campgrounds will open June 1.

Please visit our Response to COVID-19 webpage for full details on visiting Alberta Parks during COVID-19.

Central Alberta has plenty of kilometres of cross-country ski trails suitable for all ski levels and techniques and Enjoy an afternoon skiing along the shoreline at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park or wind through the 20 km of backcountry trails. You can even do skijoring here (skiing with dogs)! Miquelon is located about an hour from Edmonton or 40 minutes from Camrose. Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is also very close to Edmonton - about 1.5 hours south. The park has 10 km of groomed cross-country ski trails - great for beginners but also a relaxing ski opportunity for more advanced skiers. Check the Pigeon Lake Nordic Ski Club's cross-country ski trail condition updates.

Cross-country ski trails in Lakeland Provincial Park are located in the Shaw Lake area, about a 20 minute drive from Lac La Biche.

To find other parks with cross-country skiing opportunities, check "XC Skiing" in Find a Park.

Every park has a "Maps & Directions" page, e.g. Crimson Lake Provincial Park. At the top of the map, type your departure point into the box and click "Get directions".

Below the map on the "Maps & Directions" page, there is a linked list of the maps for that park.

To access the "Maps & Directions" page for a park, type the name into the "Search" function in Find A Park and click on the name. Then choose "Maps & Directions", the first choice in left hand navigation list.

E-bikes (aka “power bicycle” defined by the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, or “power-assisted bicycle” by Transport Canada) are not permitted on non-motorized trails.

Unless the trail signs in a park authorize the use of motorized vehicles, e-bikes / power bicycles cannot be used on the trails (only on the roadway/parking areas). The exception to this is that power bicycles may be used in most Natural Areas (unless the access signs or trail signs prohibit the use of motorized vehicles).

Alberta Parks may designate trails or trail segments for e-bikes/power-assisted bicycles in the future.

Alberta Transportation provides the following resources that clarify the use of power bicycles on roadways:

Question: How many people and pieces of equipment are allowed on a campsite?

Answer:

Equipment

The total number of cars, trucks, tents, recreational vehicles and trailers allowed on a campsite in a provincial campground is 3 (with only 2 used as accommodation units).

If two tents are used as sleeping quarters, two cars/trucks might be allowed on the campsite if it is large enough. That decision is made by the campground manager. (There may be a charge for the second tent.)

The camping fee is usually charged for a second accommodation unit on a campsite. However, if the second accommodation unit is a tent and there's only one motor vehicle registered to the site, no additional fee is charged for the tent. Our infographic shows when a fee is is charged for a second unit.

A campsite must be large enough to accommodate the maximum number of allowable units. Depending on a campsite's design and dimensions, a campground manager may decide that only one camping accommodation unit is permitted.

Definitions/Equivalencies

An accommodation unit is defined as a tent, tent trailer, trailer, fifth wheel, motorhome, or van or truck camper used by a person as shelter equipment while camping.

Two motorcycles or 2 bicycles are considered to be one motor vehicle.

People

There can’t be more than 6 people staying on a campsite unless they're all members of the same “non-extended” family (i.e. parents and dependent children).

We provide notification of both fire bans and fire advisories in provincial parks.

A fire ban is imposed for an extreme fire hazard.

A fire restriction is imposed for a high fire hazard.

Check Fire Bans & Restrictions for details about what is prohibited and permitted under a fire ban or restriction. You can view current bans and restrictions either on a map or by "List View". A fire ban or restriction is also displayed on individual park webpages.

This icon means that firewood is sold. Sometimes firewood is sold from a central location, either in the park or in the area. In other locations, a contractor delivers wood at scheduled times. Authorized suppliers provide firewood at Alberta's parks. Firewood prices at parks vary due to transportation costs and the supplier's source.

This icon means that firewood is available at the campground. A surcharge is usually added to each overnight camping fee for this service. To locate parks offering firewood this way, check "Firewood Available" in the Camping list in Find a Park.

Reservations for individual campsites can be made up to 90 days in advance of the arrival date. Group camping area and comfort camping reservations can be made for the entire camping season, starting on opening day in February.

If there are no campsites available when you first try to reserve on Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca, check back occasionally. Changes and cancellations often happen.

The Alberta government rescinded the liquor ban in provincial parks to allow responsible adults to freely enjoy a beverage of their choicein their registered campsite during the 2019 May long weekend.

Rules and regulations around campground quiet hours, excessive noise and appropriate behavior continue to be in place. See the News Release for details.

The Alberta government is making it easier to get a liquor license for special events in our parks and later this summer will expand opportunities for adults to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer in select day use area picnic sites. See the News Release for details.

Even though the vast majority of Albertans who enjoy our parks do so responsibly, we will make sure we have enforcement in place so those few who might take things too far get dealt with, and everyone can have a great time enjoying nature. See the News Release for details.

There are no laws prohibiting the use of metal detectors in the public areas of provincial parks as long as the activity isn’t interfering with the enjoyment of the other park visitors, breaking any of our other regulations, or in any way threatening any of the wildlife in the park.

Metal detectors can be used in the province’s parks, provided that:

They are only used on beaches and similar disturbed areas (where digging will not affect the natural ecosystem/habitat). In disturbed areas that are being excavated under a research permit, these areas are closed-off from the public to prevent recreational digging

No historic resources are damaged or removed

No items are removed from the park

All items of value (historical or monetary) are turned over to the local park office

They are used for recreation and not for commercial purposes

Their use doesn’t violate other laws, such as interfering with a person’s quiet enjoyment in the park. People operating metal detectors are encouraged to use an earpiece/headphones to reduce the likelihood of the noise disturbing others.

As in the case of other park users, a person can expect to encounter officers who will inquire about the activities being conducted and require them to identify themselves and their occupation.

In order to dig for historical resources, a person requires an excavation permit issued by the Parks Division under the Historical Resources Act; this permit is associated with archeological or paleontological research permit. In some locations the excavated items are likely to remain in the park for research and storage; in situations where an excavated item is to be removed from the park, a collection permit is required.

A refund is NOT given for weather, wildlife, insects, water quality, air quality, fire bans, liquor bans, car trouble, getting lost, advisories (with the exception of a campground closure), or in the case of an eviction.

Why don't I get my reservation fee back when I cancel a reservation?

Reservation fees are retained to help offset the cost of providing reservation services.

Find an available campsite when you arrive at the campground. Ensure that the campsite is First Come-First Served (not reservable). If a campsite is reservable and unoccupied, either call the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757 to check availability or register at the campground booth.

For a First Come-First Served campsite, follow the instructions posted at the self-registration vault.

If there is no self-registration vault available, register the campsite through the campground booth or by calling the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757.

At a self-registration vault, you can pay for your campsite with cash or a personal cheque (payable to "Government of Alberta").

Credit card and debit payments are accepted at campground booths and via the Contact Centre for those campgrounds that are reservable through Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca.

Please follow the directions provided at the campground through signage.